From "See" to Shining "See"

I've had the chance to see two shows now, mostly with the same corps. In Arlington on June 26 I got to see from "up high" (which really wasn't too terribly high, unfortunately) the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Spirit, and Jersey Surf.

Last night (July 7) I had the honor of announcing from the field level the "hot" show in Chambersburg, where Carolina Crown replaced the Bluecoats in the line up and the Raiders joined the event.

It is quite interesting how when the calendar page turns, something else turns in the drum corps. The spring training kinks are gone, the feedback from the judges is more incorporated, and the program development that staff has planned continues to grow.

I was very much impressed with the sound from the Bluecoats, and seeing the scores tonight from Ohio see that they are in a cat-and-mouse game with Carolina Crown, which remains undefeated. When I first heard Carolina Crown's show (by cell phone) I was a bit lost; of course, that happened the first time I saw the 2009 production as well. Last night it started coming together a bit; I really loved the tango section, and the Elgar piece brought back memories of the show that really solidified their place in the Top 12, "Chess ... and the Art of Strategy".

I sense this is the Bluecoats year to challenge for the top spots, and so Carolina Crown is in the unenviable position of being the chaser and the chased. (Sorry, Troopers, they may be more "Wanted" this year!)

Phantom Regiment is stronger than last year, it seems, although the show doesn't quite click with me. Maybe I'll appreciate it more as the season progresses? The same seems to apply to the Crusaders, Crossmen, and Spirit. These shows are more literal to their musical approach, but maybe they are just working the bugs out, too. The audience seemed kind of flat both nights; maybe it was the heat. I think the Crusaders are making a run for the Top 6 again, but they have to sell the serious parts as much as the not-so-serious parts.

I think it's kind of sad when a corps draws you to think about their past when they did the music or concept before, especially if it was much stronger then. It's a dangerous game; about as dangerous as seeming to break entirely with your past, as Spirit seems to be doing.

Jersey Surf has returned to a more enjoyable show, and something the kids seem to be able to sell better. The American show worked well with the Salutes America title of the Arlington show and the American Tradition title of the Chambersburg show. It was, for the new fan, probably the most accessible show of the night. The Raiders showed effort as well with a smaller corps than the others. Perhaps we announcers should be more clarifying about the difference in World and Open Class, although there are some World Class corps that should stay closer to Open.

But, I think that is a topic for the next post.

G7 (part 1) - background and qualifications

This post is "inside ball." If you follow drum corps intently in the off-season, you don't need more in the headline. If you don't, well, some very recent and public "differences of opinion."

On one side, you have the G7 (aka Blue Devils, Bluecoats, Cadets, Carolina Crown, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and Santa Clara Vanguard) position, which you can read at any of their websites; here's a link to one. The position of DCI you can read here; I know the non-G7 have positions that may or may not be official or public.

And ... I guess I have one as well. And ... it is mine alone. But I first need to get out some background and caveats.

I have a deep personal tie to 2 of the G7. I was there in 1990 right at the start of Carolina Crown (though not the original organization, the Charlotte Drum Corps Association). I served in a number of volunteer capacities both in working (occasional driver, show announcer, NightBEAT committee) and in board leadership (Treasurer, VP, President) positions. I have not been deeply involved for about 10 years or so, however; health, family and relocation took my focus. Officially, I am on the advisory board, which is - of course - a very unofficial role.

This corps is close to my heart. I remember early struggles to get into shows, to raise money, to be judicious in our spending, but most of all to judge success on two planes: (1) Did the kids have a good experience?, and (2) Can we - and what can we do to - offer the same or better experience next year? I had the honor of putting the feelings of the leadership into the mission statement. You see it everywhere in the organization. It, and the two items above, are the secret sauce to its success over the years.

The other corps is the Cadets. During the YEA! corps years I served as the Carolina Crown representative to the board. I have kept my relationship with them through the USSBA, where I have volunteered and served as an announcer. I was an early believer in the YEA! corps concept, and believe that it could have been successful if we had been able to maintain our board's focus on non-instructional/creative areas.

For a brief time I also served on the Marketing Committee of DCI, and have long maintained an interest in innovations designed to improve the educational and performance value for the kids, and bring people into the stands. Some may say the evolution of the former has led to the decline of the latter ... I'll get to that.

Now, outside of the G7, I have a son who has a place in a fast rising corps, the Blue Stars. I would never let one of my kids go to any corps that I did not believe had a strong program and infrastructure. In fact, I encouraged him to take a position with that corps over another, even if it is an alternate position right now.

In summary, as background, I believe in Carolina Crown, in the Cadets and their scholastic band program USSBA, and I believe in the Blue Stars. I believe that marching music has an impact on people's lives.

In one of the next posts (probably closer to when everyone meets in the board room and on the competitive field in Minneapolis), I'll give some thoughts.

A tale of three cities

MP is in a drum corps this summer. He went to camps with three world class, top 12 corps, before finding a home with one of them (although, as an alternate, he has work to do to get a spot on the field this summer).

If you know us, then you know two of the organizations, both with clearly articulated missions about building young people. Those camps were interesting ... and intense for a young man. Yet while the educational value was high, I found interesting the comments he made about one or the other.

"I like it here," he noted on one of them. "The people are friendlier." Interesting, because you don't always associate friendliness with the corps. Both corps are intense, and fairly focused on winning, although there was one in particular that was giving some skills in goal setting and planning that many adults need to hear.

But the corps where he settled he found friendliness, intensity, a desire to win and improve, and a place where the feedback on making him a better player and marcher was delivered effectively. And I found not a mission - although they have one - but a motto that is an even better shorthand for what he can carry all his life.

And so, this summer, he will end the year in the city above. Which is, coincidentally, where he will start the summer. In between, I hope it is an experience he'll learn from.

Welcome to the Blue Stars. And remember FCO, son. FCO.

Mission Creep: Evolution or Back to the Future?

In my profession of anesthesia services management, we caution physician groups and hospitals alike to beware of "scope creep". This occurs when the demands of a facility and its surgical staff slowly begin to outstrip the staffing or clinical capabilities of the practice. I see a that occurring in many of today's drum corps - their scopes of services are expanding. The question is, do they see the "mission creep" as well?

Back in the days fondly remembered by many of today's oldest fans, corps were run to "keep kids off the streets." They were community based, perhaps church or VFW sponsored, much like this drum corps near where I live. Shows were local, on weekends, and there were national events but not so much a national tour.

Around the time DCI got started, corps became more sophisticated. Sticking somewhat to the original mission, they began to focus on kids who had some music background. As I often said during my time on the board of a fast growing corps entering the Top 12, "We give ordinary kids a chance to do something extraordinary." As missions go, we were teaching life skills to kids who may or may not make music and teaching music their life calling.

Now, even that is changing. DCI reports that nearly 60% of today's college-age corps members (who are 70% of all corps members) study music performance and/or education! In fact, with the tag 'Marching Music's Major League', and a new partnership with MENC, the corps are accelerating in the direction of being marching education supplements via exhibition of excellence, clinics, and training of tomorrow's music educators.

In essence, many DCI corps has clearly moved from "the streets" (basic training, where some corps still focus) to "the kids" (life skills through music, where most corps are now) to "music education enhancement" (where many top tier corps reside). These top corps are certainly exceptional labs to develop tomorrow educators, who we hope in turn will develop more leaders. This is good, seen in the high degree of talent (vs. attitude) based selectivity of the members. But this is also bad, as it makes fundraising hard ... and membership by some who aspire to success in a field other than music difficult as well.

Now, entering a time when school budgets are under extreme scrutiny and the arts and music are again a potential target for cuts, what are drum corps to do? Continue on the same path, which some see as a natural evolution and others as a departure from the "true" purpose of drum corps? Go back to what they once were, or something in between? Is there room in "the activity", or even the competitive arena, for three tiers of drum corps (four if you count the "recreational' corps such as those who are in DCA)?

Theory or fact, evolution implies getting better, stronger, faster, smarter. Regardless if whether the changes to come are better, stronger, faster, or smarter, the changes will continue to come (and come fast).

And the changes are going to be interesting indeed.

The Quintessential Eight

Now that fall is over, we can start planning our summer. That's right, the 2010 tour schedule is out! Something to be thankful for!

Since it is Thanksgiving, in addition to food, family, a job, a home, I am thankful for this country, for its music, and marching music in particular - America's unique contribution to music, right up there with jazz. (Well, and a host of composers, too.)

Now that we can start making some summer plans, how do you introduce the wonderful world of marching music to a "newbie"? I like to take them to a drum corps show. And with the schedule now out, you can plan your trips this summer, too!

But what if you can't drag them to a show? What if you had 2 hours to show them what marching music is, and has become since they probably last tuned in. (You know, it's like trying to describe the marvels of HDTV to somehow who last watched on a 13" black and white.)

Accepting the premise (and I don't do that) that drum corps is the way to go, since there are literally thousands of high school marching band shows to choose from a year, and video is relatively accessible, what do you choose?

Here are my Quintessential Eight ... the two hours of drum corps I would use, for better or worse. And I tried to choose a corps only once, knowing that there are probably better shows they have done since the show I selected. That's the beauty of opinion.

So, in date order ...

8. 1983 Cadets - because from then on, the genre changed.

7. 1988 Madison Scouts - from start to finish, the power of the music and the drill, sans props and storylines. It is the building block for not forgetting that "the basics" matter and can carry the day if done right. And, from what I read, it seems that the Scouts are going back to basics now nearly 20 years later.

6. 1992 Velvet Knights - because performance should be fun! (Okay, okay, substitute the 1980 Bridgemen, if you must.)

5. 1993 Star of Indiana - because the genre changed again.

4. 1999 Santa Clara Vanguard - The copycat 90's ended with this championship performance. The musical variety: Philip Glass's minimalist "The Canyon"? Samuel Barber's "2nd" and "1st"? Frank Ticheli's jazzy "Blue Shades"? Oh yeaahhh. This show was just sheer performance - guard, brass AND percussion. The kalidoscopic drill AND body movement. "Vanguard!" Truthfully, SCV isn't my "favorite" corps, but I probably have collectively more favorite performances from them than about any other.

3. 2002 Cavaliers - 99.15. How much closer to perfection can you get?

2. 2007 (or 2009) Carolina Crown - Fans loved these shows. From a storyline perspective, the 2007 storyline was more captivating from the outset. (Typical response from viewers: "That was just 6th place?!") So, select what you will.

1. 2008 Phantom Regiment - Because a champion can come from behind to capture the points as well as the crowd, and because from the moment they stepped out of the tunnel, the performance was on and complete.

What?! I left off the Blue Devils*? Yup. And others. So, your turn.

* (Top 10? Okay - add 2000 Boston Crusaders and Blue Devils ... 1983 ... or 1992 ... or 1994 ... or the risky 1998. Or, what if we have to cut the list to the Top 4 from the 2000s because "I'm only giving you an hour" - oh, never mind.)

Audition Weekend: Missions of the Possible

Today begins auditions for the 2010 season for a number of drum corps (and some winter guards as well). MP is with one drum corps this weekend.

Seems to me that over the past 20 years, the educational focus of the corps audition process has increased, and in many ways become more more standardized. My only hope is that the drum corps don't forget their missions. They are not NFL teams - putting together winning units, or at least trying to. There is the non-profit and educational mission that must be remembered. From what I've seen, I think many corps do that. It isn't about the medals, or the design or instructional team. It is ... it should be ... about the kids.

About a week ago my bride and I had a kitchen debate (I just realized she was closer to the knives, and I'm sure after reading this some of you will wish she used them!) about woodwinds in drum and bugle corps. She argued that if someone wants to march, let them march brass. I argued - for the sake of argument, mind you - that we are excluding a number of talented kids who can benefit from the "drum corps experience", and that the demands and talents in top corps may not give the great clarinet player a chance. Just think about this for a moment. What if a corps set aside 10% of its brass line for primary woodwind players?

Is drum and bugle corps the right name, anyway? We seem to thing it's not marching band (and does calling it major league relegate bands to minor league?) ... and what is marching band, anyway? None of this is what people think it is. (Before you laugh, "color guard", think about the origin of that term!)

Percussion and Brass Corps? The reality is that half of the "drummers" are in the pit and don't play "drums", and conventional trumpets, mellophones, baritones, and tubas are not bugles.

I started out talking about auditions, but seem to have (again) swayed into definitions.

Well, whatever we are, "marching band", "drum corps" or "color guard" ... there is the saying down in Texas about a certain school and it certainly applies: "For those who are here, no explanation is necessary. For those who aren't, no explanation is possible."

Good luck to everyone seeking to join. Especially to MP (... and to woodwinds!)

Finally - Friday Night Lights! (A Review of the DCI Masters in Murfreesboro)

This week it was Friday Night Lights at the DCI Masters in Murfreesboro, Tennessee!

This is my first actual show of the season, and my first chance to attend this "Top 8" event. And, for the first time in this blog, I'll publish a Review that I have given to friends via e-mail. This will be fun, too, as I include comments by my oldest son, who offers his perspective as a (near) 16 year old band member. I call him "MP" as in Mellophone Player!

There are a lot of good seats in this venue. We sat in Club level seats, but if I had to do it again I’d come down to section RR, between rows 15-20. That is just high enough to see, but just close enough for impact.

Performing first were the Blue Knights. MP noticed three drum majors. I noticed – the “band”. The performance was … good. There were nice BK/Ron Nelson licks with the signature silks ("Amazing Grace" was nice and colorful) and some well-done drill, but to me the design was a guard show with horns. MP said 8^th, and as did I with an 86-87. That was generous. The judges gave an 84.400.

After this show I corrected MP’s slip of the purist tongue when he called BK a band. He has been to shows before, but really this was the first time I think he was being discerning. I said, however, that it was my opinion that he had seen “A good band, but not a good corps.” “How so?” he asked. “Just keep watching.” We didn’t have to wait long.

Santa Clara Vanguard brought “3hree: Mind, Body and Soul” to the field. The concept was well integrated and executed, musically and visually. Opening with challenging music and drill and some cool visual tricks with the uniform (mind), they phased into a more aggressive segment with a lot of kinetic movement (body) and then closed with driving yet emotional music (soul). MP got the difference in design and execution.

I had not seen SCV in a while, and it was cool to explain some of the traditions that link the shows. MP’s favorite show he has marched is “Phantom of the Opera”, and we saw traditions connecting 2008 with 1988. I said 5^th with a 91 (.3!), and MP said 6^th. The judges did not share our view – 7^th with 87.475.

The Bluecoats neatly integrated their show into the warm up and Brandt Crocker’s introduction. But they didn’t’ deliver "The Knockout" they were hoping for, because part way through a show heavily dependent on narration, the sound system failed, exposing a weakness in a show that could no longer carry under its own musical and visual power. A single engine fly-over during the choral voices didn’t help. MP commented on the battery’s (particularly the bass drums) integration into the visual boxing ring, saying, “I thought that was unique.” We said 7^th, but the judges said 6th, scoring 88.200 (to my 90).

Unlike SCV’s thematic execution, this Blue (the only one missing tonight was the Stars!) made you focus too much on the boxer, afraid you would miss something, with the end result being that you probably did anyway. By contrast, you keep looking all over the field to see how SCV brings 3hree to you in a new way. I guess that’s my “GE” bias showing; I’m sure the technical aspects are showing up in the recap.

I saw the Cadets practice live, and was looking forward to the performance. However, this seemed "off" from what I had watched earlier this month (see July 6th post). Extensive rewrites were apparent as the script, music, visuals and colors seemed disconnected right from the start. Mr. Crocker even seemed confused (as opposed to when he introduced the Bluecoats) and I think the audience felt the same throughout the first half of the show. By the time the corps clicked (“snapped?!”) into gear with the “Wall Street” section the audience had changed from WCDT to another station, reflected in the flat reaction at the end. The wink was a nice addition, but I almost missed it as there were two focal points. Are the Cadets trying to do too much? I don’t think so. But they have to sort out what they are trying to do. I said 6^th with 91, MP 5^th. The judges about agreed; 5^th with a 90.825.

I really anticipated the Phantom Regiment’s "Spartacus" (see May 7) and I was not disappointed! Sometimes we are let down when something we remember nostalgically (1982, my first show ever) is not relived. Phantom didn’t try to recreate so much as reinvent the show. The design innovations of the last 25 years were clear, and I sense more (color?!) is coming in the next two weeks. This show has not peaked!

MP really got into the show, seeing the difference in design and execution. “I am Spartacus!” he shouted! So did I, and we agreed on a 4^th place and 92. The judges, it turned out, said 3^rd with a 93.200.

And if they were third, and that means Carolina Crown was 4^th. But having been there at the start of the corps 19 years ago, they are always first in my heart! When I heard the on the phone show (see July 6th) I could not quite see where the visual would be going. Now, with the total package, it was just a lot of fun – a classic with a nice twist!

But, okay, maybe fun like cotton candy. Tastes great, associated with nice memories, but not really filling. Regardless, the fans ate it up like, well, cotton candy. MP and I talked about how they followed the classic emotional ride: start and build, slow a bit (the brass choir in the "Clair de Lune" classic with a "West Side Story" twist was angelic and crystal clear), then push on to an “up” finish. I said 3^rd with a 92.5, MP said 2^nd, and the judges said 4^th at 92.625. I didn’t think Phantom Regiment had caught them tonight, but I won’t disagree with the placement.

But, when fans down front unrolled big banner with the words “Oh Yeah Baby!” you had to agree. MP, biased toward all things Carolina, especially this corps, said “I definitely loved it! I loved the way they incorporated 'Finis' into everything they do, such as the ripples where everyone was doing the same thing until it got to the end, where they do something just a bit different!” Yup. He's catching on.

The "Green Machine" took an abstract concept and made it work. It wasn’t a distinct story but a clear theme, Samauri, and was very engaging. I found the audio effects fascinating, but MP said, “The best part was the drill, with the body work and the jumping. I can’t wait to see them again!” I didn't quite feel the same way, but I still said 2^nd with a 93.5. MP said 1^st, and the judges put the second place score at 93.275, a sliver above.

If I say a show was “conventional yet unique” you’d probably say, “That’s absurd!” That’s the Blue Devils, with their absurdity show. Again, an abstract concept well executed, with visual “sparks” throughout. “I don’t know,” said MP, “I liked the guard and the sticks.” But during the performance he whispered a thought to me that showed me his appreciation of how the corps uses the “sound of silence”.

At the end, before the scores were announced, MP said that we should rank the corps that really got people out of their seats. That was great way to think about the show! I said Phantom Regiment, SCV, Carolina Crown and the Cavaliers. MP agreed with 1 and 4, but thought Crown was above Vanguard. (What a homer!)

... ...

We get to see six of the top 12 again in a few days in West Chester, and I will offer thoughts on that show as well as my final live-in-the-stadium event of 2008, Westminister. Is this what was meant by, "Go west, young man!" I hope so!

Hey, but if you haven't been able to get to a show yet, never fear! Click on the link below! And if you don't get to that, never fear. It will be reviewed too!

Drum corps season is here!

“For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t understand, no explanation is possible.”

It is starting now in Toledo - and in 1/2 hour in Rockford! From time to time I have shared with a small circle of friends a review of the drum corps shows (performance, venues, audiences!) I attend. So now I go public with my musings - but mostly from afar until I can see with my own ears what is on the field on July 12 (maybe) or July 25 (for sure!). Stay tuned!

Act your age

A shout out to my friend Greg Lowe, DCI Volunteer of the Year. Ever modest (okay, maybe not "ever", but in his reply to me he was) he pointed out that he is merely the 8th member of "Team Cream" to be a DCI Volunteer of the Year.
The 8th?! Let's see. Kevin Smith. Doug Madar. Carol Srdar. Teri Bell. Ray and Mary McCrary. Steve Tant. Wow! And I am honored to know them all. They have collectively poured years and tears into making Carolina Crown the success it is. They are wonderful ...

... adults.

Okay, some may act like kids - and from time to time be a bit childish. But really, overall, they are in it for the kids (although they will be the first to tell you they get a ton of reward from being involved, too). In the end, they grew up, they became adults, and they put their talents back in to not clinging fading memories of old experiences, but into creating new memories and better experiences for someone else.

They are ... adults.

They aren't trying to march one last year (something I still scratch my head over our friends at WGI doing). I remember fighting with some of them over the value of senior corps and alumni corps - something I think we put to rest when we adopted the Carolina Crown Mission Statement*. ("Hey, Madar, I've come to appreciate the place in the world for all-age corps, but what going on what I knew to be senior corps then, I always wondered this: Why don't the put their energy into paying it forward in a successful 'junior' corps?")

Anyway, I had promised to comment on the all age corps. And my comment really is the one above. There are some that I find are great outlets for kids who want to march but aren't able to put the time or money ... or need to develop the chops a bit more ... to march with one of the major league corps.

But a corps like what we saw on screen at the Countdown? Yeah, it warms the cockles of our hearts. But in the end, what is it really? Is it for us, or for them?

Congrats Greg! And Steve! And Ray! ... and Mary! ... and Teri! ... and Carol! ... and Doug! ... and Kevin! ... and the next ones to come!

* To develop lifelong excellence in young people through a superior and challenging performing arts education experience.

The sound - and the fury

Before this blog was started I would e-mail a good friend my Review of various DCI events - both the shows on the field and the event itself. Last night I attended - with son #2 (trumpet player, 7th grader) and about 4 dozen others - The Countdown, DCI's cinema review/preview. The corps were pre-recorded, the order pre-set, and so the deal this time is the event itself.

The Countdown, featuring the fans' Top 5 of the previous three years, was in many senses a chance to see and hear what few of us saw live and most of us saw on the small screen in edited format. We sat with great anticipation - 6 great corps, wide screen, fabulous sound - a great way to watch drum corps!

Ugh. I called my good friend, who attended in another theater. "Was your sound bad?" "Yeah." "Ugh." So here we are with a chance to get people, including newbies (the guy behind me invited a date who has never seen drum corps) and high school band students, to really experience drum corps in a way only a live show can exceed, and ... the sound was just bad. A buzz. Front speakers only. So bad, even the picture didn't seem as crisp.

I take notes to expand my reviews. Rather than do that, here they are raw: "Bluecoats - Sounds flat." "Blue Devils - This is the movies, so why do we get analog TV technology?" "Cadets - No surrounding sound. " "Phantom Regiment - I get better sound in my car." Cavaliers - {No comment on sound; was mesmerized by design and my son observing something about the contras that I have never ever noticed! Check out their aussies ...} "Carolina Crown - 5.1 audio? Really?"

That last comment goes what Reliable Rondo. said about the (blu-ray?) DVD DCI is marketing "with Dolby 5.1!" If DVD buyers get Dolby 5.1, why didn't those of us in the theater?!

While my biggest disappointment is that there were no band kids in the audience (son #1 is with his band in Florida), when the sound in a professional theater is worse than what I heard at the "From the 50 Yard Line" screening, maybe that is a good thing.

Well, and something else. DCI ... so politically correct with itself ... in a show supposedly featuring the best of the best, the excitement of excitement, the event to sell tickets, ends with the Anaheim Kingsmen alumni corps, a throwback that means nothing to new fans. (Yeah, they have a role in the world, but not in the theater. I'll have to write about this later.)

It was not, as Carolina Crown's staff noted in describing the concept behind their 2008 show*, a powerful ending. The past few weeks have been fabulous experiences for me. It's a good thing that tomorrow I go see Blast! again. The Countdown was not the Fine' of a fine April.

* It's not on their website, but the open secret is what I think is setting up to be a Triple Crown topper they are calling Fine'. I - cannot - wait!

Crowning Achievement

This is a long story and blogs don't do well for long stories. (You can read that here.) But in 1990 a small group of people passionate about drum corps let me join them in what was then a two year old quest toward the start up of a dream: the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps.

The geek I am, I had written the business plan (as an MBA project, the first time a non-profit had been selected as the subject in the history of that entrepreneurship class) a few years before. They, of course, had lived it, or in some cases just loved it wholeheartedly. And so like any organization, we set off on the journey.

There are innumerable stories of what brought us together, of what sometimes tore us apart, of new people coming in for life or for just the right brief moment, but ultimately this organization gave us all a chance to share a passion with kids and then audiences throughout the country.

We worked hard with no material return. We worked for the kids, and I am sure deep down for the satisfaction of being able to one day stand up and say, "We created that." No, not the shows themselves, or the music - those were vehicles. We created an organization and programs that soon found its way into a few words ...


To develop lifelong excellence in young people through a superior and challenging performing arts education experience.

That "one day" is, I believe, finally here.

On April 24 in theaters across the country, DCI will feature a Countdown of the six recent fan favorites. On this night, Carolina Crown will reach a pinnacle: It will be the final corps shown, the #1 fan favorite in the years 2005-2007.

A former board officer, I haven't been heavily involved in the corps since 2000. But on that night I imagine I am going to be like a proud Dad, because I helped give birth to the best. Aside from my own kids - but including my own career - this always will be one of my proudest achievements.

And you need to see it. Follow the link below.

From the 50 .... You Can Still March 4 Music

If you've seen the website www.march4music.com you know it is the home of the self-titled National Fundraising and Awareness Outreach Program for Instrumental Music Education in Schools. Never heard of it.

However, the website seems to me to be part social networking for bands and part promotion for the film From the 50 Yard Line. (Click on the poster for the trailer or the title to go to the site.) I hit the site earlier in the year, but didn't sign up for e-mail alerts, so I missed the film when it came to Maryland ... meaning I may have to venture up to New Jersey next week.

A previous press release noted that the New Jersey screening is of "a professional movie that chronicles the Centerville High School Marching Band. It has been winning independent film festivals throughout the country for the past year. This will be a great opportunity to educate students, parents, and administration as to what marching band is really about and how important it is to our young people. Half of the proceeds will be donated to an organization called"March 4 Music, a non-profit organization that donates musical instruments to underfunded music programs. "

So there it is, in their words. I don't know much more, and so I'll leave it at that. Maybe I'll make this month the get ready for marching season month and go check it out ... or maybe bring it back to Maryland just in time for band camp ...

Sunday, April 13, it will show at Williamstown (NJ) HS at 3 p.m. Tickets are $6.50 ($5.50 for students), with half going to M4M and half to the school instrumental music program. WHS is at 700 North Tuckahoe Road, Williamstown, NJ.

Maybe I'll see you all there ... or on April 24 in another theater for the DCI theater event ... or some other 50 yard line seat ...!

Marching Music's Major League - a video critique

Yesterday Drum Corps International released a new promotional video. If you haven't seen it, click on the logo below. Go on. I'll wait!

Look, it's so very hard for me to be critical of any effort to spread the word about drum corps. But as a former DCI Marketing Committee member, a former president of a drum corps' board (and former member of a world champion corps' board) and someone who has helped promote shows, I guess I can comment on this as someone who is more than a fan.

DCI says, "The spot is designed to inform prospective fans, sponsors and members of the media about DCI’s far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence as it continues to emerge as an international brand of highly-skilled musicians and performers."

I say ... This doesn't do it.

For the person who is a casual or curious fan, who wants to know what drum corps is before spending bucks on tickets, we are a media, sponsorship, website ... the kids? Where do they come from? How old are they? Where are the corps from? What are their styles? What can I expect to see? to hear?

For the media, read above. Does this really tell what drum corps is? No. It doesn't help me write a feature story about the corps coming to my town (because as a show promoter, that is the ticket-selling PR we want, not a post-show write up!).

This video is targeted at the corporate types who have marketing and sponsorship dollars to spend. Dollars we covet. And that's not bad. But the video is far from informational, or even "promotional". It is all about business development.

Now, that is okay, but here are some problems that came to mind.

What the heck is "Marching Music's Major League"? Why isn't that logo (used above) used throughout, complete with color? Color is cheap when you are using digital images; it only gets expensive when you start to use ink. (And besides, when you see the logo, does anyone else out there immediately think MLB or NBA, not DCI?) If you are going to have a brand image, for pete's sake, have a brand image!

And the musical score to the video. You would think it would be all about showcasing Marching Music's Major League. But does not. Nope. The only time you hear a drum corps is from about 1:50 to 2:00 in the video - :10 ... 2.5%! ... of the 6:30. And who is it? Not to dis' them, but the 1975 Troopers!

It could have been the 1975 Madison Scouts (champions), or Blue Devils. The video and style is 30+ years old, precisely the image DCI should be trying to NOT portray.

Why can't we use the actual corps' music? (You can get copyright clearance, even for website impressions.) The sound of the brass, the drive of the percussion, the product itself!

Maybe the show promoters can use this as well, but there is a lot in there that is DCI that is not about the local shows. It is the big picture, and only somewhat helpful on the little picture side. Maybe some re-editing for their use would help. But even then, I don't know if it is enough, or if it can be enough ... or even if it should be the intent.

Drum corps is a hard sell. The saying is, "For those who don't understand, no explanation is possible. For those that do, none is necessary." If this is an effort to close the gap, I'm afraid it doesn't succeed.

March 2nd

Or, as I call it,
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY !!

The book "American Band" (have you read it yet?) may have been about a band from Indiana (home to Bands of America and DCI, I know - my darling beloved is a Hoosier!) but Texas is where band is celebrated! Texas Monthly has done wonderful stories about bands, a Texas band is the current Bands of America Champion (see two posts back), Texas is where I fell in love with band and drum corps, and Texas is where - like a lot of people across the ages - a drum corps scrawled "GTT"* on the door post and is seeking out new and better days. (Will they make it? We don't know. But they will try!)

Band are big! Bandmasters are big! Stadiums are big! Crowds are big!

Although I haven't lived there in nearly 20 years, "You can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the boy!"

* GTT ... Gone to Texas!

Sweet Home ... Indiana?

Indiana is best known for basketball. At least that what I’m told, and I have to trust the person who told me. After all, I married her. (And of course there is that great movie about the little school that could.)

When I brought my future-wife home to meet the family, it was right after a Circle K International convention, in August, right after DCI finals. I didn’t know the results – this being the olden days before Al Gore invented the Internet. But we did have VHS! When I came into the house, I essentially said, “This is my mom. This is my sister. Now you can talk to them or sit with me, but I’m going to watch DCI finals.”

She sat. For a bit. Then went to talk to my Mom and sister. It would be a few years before she really got “snared” (okay – bad pun).

What she either didn’t know, or didn’t tell me, was that was that in Indiana, football fields are used for not just the Colts. South Dakota has the Badlands, Indiana is BandLands.

Don’t believe me? If you have time to read - you know, a book! - get "American Band". (It was one of the inspirations to start this blog. The other was my sister.) If you don’t just know this – Bands of America is headquartered in Indianapolis, home of the Grand National Championships. This coming summer, after the first of 10 years in the new Lucas Oil Stadium – where it will premier the stadium – Drum Corps International is moving to Indianapolis, too.

If your music doesn’t move on a football field, that’s okay. Indiana University is well known for its music school. And Bloomington is home to the Tony Award winning Blast!, formerly known as Star of Indiana.

Football lives in Texas, Ohio and Florida. (Yeah, yeah – and California, Alabama, Georgia …) Bands live in Indiana. Whodathunkit.

Our first band ...

There is a lot to say now that I can, but let's start with a band. My high school band was small; micro by Texas standards. The one I saw on Saturday was larger than the one I was in, but it is in the small Group 1 on the Tournament of Bands circuit.

This band took a complicated concert band literature by David R. Holsinger (based on scripture - 2 Samuel 11, 1 Chronicles 20) and made it about the modern war. I have a long memory, so I remember the Cadets doing this music in 1993, before most of the kids doing this show were even born. Whenever a band tries to do music that a corps has done, especially one that won a DCI World Championship with the show, I wonder what the staff was thinking. Why do this to the high school kids, setting them up for constant criticism by failing to achieve what kids 3 to 4 years older dedicated a summer to perfecting?

Sure enough, it started out that way. The first part was a bit too literal for me, like the staff was thinking about how to make the music work on the field from an interpretative standpoint, but gave up.

But when the black scrim came down between the guard and the band, magic began. The sheer scrim with a soldier on one side mirroring the guard member on the other, touching like a reflection on the Vietnam Memorial Wall ... it was a reminder of the sacrifice that others have given, no matter what your opinion is on this current war.

The band placed its uniform helmets on the ground and then moved away, leaving the form where they stood as a silent, graveyard like reminder. The band and the guard were elsewhere on the field, but the image of the space they left was moving me and the audience to near tears. Then came the haunting Taps, as the solider walked away with head high, into the backfield corner.

Oh yes, I remember the scrim and the helmets from other drum corps shows (Suncoast Sound, Phantom Regiment). But this time the unique take in the modern setting just clicked, and I hope everyone was suddenly jolted back to understanding that a real war has real sacrifice.

Thank you, band, for honoring the memory of our fallen soldiers, and reminding me of their sacrifice.


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Marching band is like that for me. The kids moving me to cheers or tears, and making me think. Yes, adults design, but the kids make it happen, and these kids did. Their size was irrelevant - larger bands performed that day but the performances were flat. Maybe since it wasn't under the lights (it was an afternoon show), they weren't into it.

This band was willing to say, "Forget how small we are, because we can perform." I hope through this blog I'll introduce you to - or remind you of - the commitment of performance in band and in life.

No matter what the size of your "band", performance is what matters.* What you get out of it will be what you put into it. If you think you need to be in a big band to "win", then look inside. Small may make you think it is hard, but performance when you are out there exposed makes the achievement so much sweeter.

I got a lot out of my marching band experience. We weren't much - legends in our own mind - that the effort in my last year that resulted in a II rating in the only UIL contest I remember - tops in our class! - the fun of putting a show on the field - that sense of achievement drives me even today.

Well, that and the two biggest lessons I learned from my band director:

1. "Always leave early so if you're late you'll be on time."

2. "I don't care if you have been in this band room since 4 this morning. If you are not in your chair, warmed up, ready to go, when the bell rings, you are late!"


* A shout out to the 1983 Laredo Nixon HS Band, Texas Class 5A champions - the smallest of the finalists that year.